I am a 21-year-old student from America studying abroad doing a research program, living in Kyoto until December 23rd. I was riding back to my apartment today, and I collided with a middle-aged woman at an intersection. I was going faster than her, and I hit her front tire, and she fell off her bike. She got really angry and said I didn't stop at the intersection (she was moving to). She had a few scrapes but seemed fine (she rode her bike back home and didn't seem seriously injured at all). I may have been more at fault, but it wasn't 100% my fault. It was more just unlucky timing. The police were called, and I gave them my ID and my passport, and I also gave the woman a school phone number. I am worried that she will try and get a lot of money out of me and over exaggerate what happened. I don't have insurance either here, and I don't want to pay 100,000+ yen in fees. I have no idea how to go about this. What should I do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
by friedyoopy
2 comments
Kyoto requires all bicycle users to have insurance, it is unfortunate you don’t.
I don’t quite understand what happens (your description is not clear), but… it sounds like you rear-ended her? So that would make it primarily (though not completely, details would determine share) your fault.
Generally you would be liable for actual medical expenses. That is unlikely to be a large sum assuming it was a very minor acccident.
If you continue to ride a bike, you should probably enroll in insurance.
everyone riding a bicycIe is IegaIIy required to be on bicycIe insurance. some even have konbini payments.
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